The Scarlet Letter (1934)

Set in 1642 Puritan Massachusetts, a young woman (Colleen Moore) bears a child out of wedlock. She refuses to name the father and is sentenced to wear a scarlet colored A on her bosom so that the Puritan community will know that she is an adulteress. Based on the classic novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne and directed by Robert G. Vignola (WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WAS IN FLOWER). Hawthorne's novel has seen several screen adaptations (including one from Wim Wenders). The most famous one is the 1926 silent version with Lillian Gish. This was the first sound film version. Colleen Moore was one of the most popular and highest paid actresses in silent cinema and was the epitome of the era's "flaming youth". She didn't seem very motivated in pursuing her film career once sound came in and she retired after making this movie. It's a faithful adaptation of the Hawthorne book but the Hays code was in full force so there's an overly heavy emphasis on guilt (the film's opening card say the Puritan measures were harsh but necessary!). Some unnecessary comedic elements not in the book have been added such as the courtship of a widow (Virginia Howell) that seem jarringly out of place. With Hardie Albright, Henry B. Walthall, Alan Hale, Cora Sue Collins and William Kent.